Sukiman Sarmani

The determination of heavy metals in water, suspended materials and sediments from Langat River, Malaysia

The distributions of heavy metals in the Langat River were studied for a period of six months between September 1984 and February 1985. Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, cerium, cobalt, chromium, caesium, lanthanum, rubidium, antimony, scandium, thorium and zinc were determined in water, suspended materials and sediment samples from the Langat River by neutron activation and atomic absorption spectrometry. The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, cerium, cobalt, scandium, antimony, and zinc were generally highest in the suspended materials, whereas the concentrations of chromium, rubidium and thorium were always highest in the sediments: Arsenic concentrations in the river were slightly higher than the natural concentration, while other elements were generally at their natural concentration levels. The use of arsenical herbicides in plantations along the river could be a source of arsenic pollution.

Trace elements in Malaysian medicinal plants

Elemental content of twenty medicinal plants used as tonic and for treatment of diabetes and simusitis were determined by INAA and XRF. Elemental determination was carried out in the raw samples, residues after boiling and the water soluble fractions. Samples were irradiated in TRIGA MkII reactor and counted using HPGe detector coupled to Personal Computer Analyzer (PCA) system. Bowens Kale, NBS Pine Needles, NBS Citrus Leaves SRM were analysed to check the accuracy of the techniques used. Twenty elements were determined by both NAA and XRF. Arsenic was only detected inLabisia pothoina andDracontomelon dao with a concentrations of 0.40 mg/kg and 0.60 mg/kg respectively. Antimony was found in eleven samples with a concentration of <0.20 mg/kg. Al, Br, Ca, Cl, K, Mn, Na and Rb were detected in all samples whereas Mg and Zn were present in all samples exceptCinnamomum sp. Highest concentration of Br (190 mg/kg), Cl (11805 mg/kg), Co (0.50 mg/kg), Fe (1642 mg/kg), K (36788 mg/kg), Mn (325 mg/kg), Na (126 mg/kg), Rb (197 mg/kg), Sc (0.18 mg/kg) and Zn (3551 mg/kg) were observed in the tuber ofLasia aculeata. Less than 70% and 50% of the elements contained inCallicarpa longifolia andEurycoma longifolia were obtained respectively from water by boiling.

Determination of mercury and organic mercury contents in Malaysian seafood

The contents of mercury and organic mercury in various types of seafood from various location in Malaysia were determined by neutron activation analysis. Total mercury was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) whilst organic mercury was determined by INAA after chemical separation. Samples were digested in acid media and into the solution was added copper ion and KBr to release organic mercury compound from sulphur component of the tissue. The organic mercury was then extracted into toluene and then treated with cysteine paper to convert the compound into sub-organo-mercury from. The paper was then transferred into polyethylene vials and irradiated in the MINT TRIGA Reactor. Analytical results of organic mercury in Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), Spanish mackerel (Scomberomurus commersoni), shrimp (Peneaus sp.), squid (Loligo sp.) and cockle (Anadara granosa) is in the range of 45%–94% of the total mercury.

Inventory of heavy metals and organic micropollutants in an urban water catchment drainage basin

The Linggi River drainage basin in Negeri Sembilan Malaysia is the major source of potable water for the townships of Seremban and Port Dickson. Water quality is threatened by industrial and commercial development taking place in the basin. This study investigated the concentrations and distribution of organic micro-pollutants and heavy metals within the catchment. Arsenic, copper, cadmium, lead, mercury and zinc were determined in water and sediment samples. All heavy metal concentrations were increased down the basin; arsenic and copper concentration in particular were elevated probably due respectively to flow in of arsenical herbicides in rubber and oil palm plantations and copper sulphate and an additive in pig food.Total phenol concentration also increased considerably within the catchment as a result of urbanisation. Five priority phenolic pollutants (2,4-dimethylphenol; 4-chloro-3-methylphenol; 2,4,6-trichlorophenol; 4-introphenol; pentachlorophenol) were found.

Neurobehavioral effects of arsenic exposure among secondary school children in the Kandal Province, Cambodia

The research was carried out at 3 study sites with varying groundwater arsenic (As) levels in the Kandal Province of Cambodia. Kampong Kong Commune was chosen as a highly contaminated site (300-500μg/L), Svay Romiet Commune was chosen as a moderately contaminated site (50-300μg/L) and Anlong Romiet Commune was chosen as a control site. Neurobehavioral tests on the 3 exposure groups were conducted using a modified WHO neurobehavioral core test battery. Seven neurobehavioral tests including digit symbol, digit span, Santa Ana manual dexterity, Benton visual retention, pursuit aiming, trail making and simple reaction time were applied. Childrens hair samples were also collected to investigate the influence of hair As levels on the neurobehavioral test scores. The results from the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses of hair samples showed that hair As levels at the 3 study sites were significantly different (p<0.001), whereby hair samples from the highly contaminated site (n=157) had a median hair As level of 0.93μg/g, while the moderately contaminated site (n=151) had a median hair As level of 0.22μg/g, and the control site (n=214) had a median hair As level of 0.08μg/g. There were significant differences among the 3 study sites for all the neurobehavioral tests scores, except for digit span (backward) test. Multiple linear regression clearly shows a positive significant influence of hair As levels on all the neurobehavioral test scores, except for digit span (backward) test, after controlling for hair lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and cadmium (Cd). Children with high hair As levels experienced 1.57-4.67 times greater risk of having lower neurobehavioral test scores compared to those with low hair As levels, after adjusting for hair Pb, Mn and Cd levels and BMI status. In conclusion, arsenic-exposed school children from the Kandal Province of Cambodia with a median hair As level of 0.93µg/g among those from the highly contaminated study site, showed clear evidence of neurobehavioral effects.

Studies on elemental analysis of Chinese traditional herbs by neutron activation technique and their mutagenic effect

Chinese herbs are accepted as an alternative medicine for specific treatment of illness. It is important to know the contents of these herbs that might cause gene mutation. Ten most popular herbs used in Malaysia were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. A total of 16 trace and major elements were determined and the concentration of elements varied depending on the origin of the herb. The study showed that the toxic elements found in the samples were below the levels prescribed by health regulations. The mutagenicity test showed that there was no toxic effect due to the heavy metals present in the herbs.

Chemical and bacteriological monitoring of drinking water from an urbanised water catchment drainage basin

The Linggi river drainage basin in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia supplies water to the whole of Port Dickson district and meets 50% of the Seremban district needs. The Linggi River, the main tributary, passes through the highly urbanised and densely populated Seremban district while the water treatment plant is located 16 km downstream. In 1979 the USEPA declared the river unsuitable as a source of raw water whereas the WHO classified it as being heavily polluted requiring more extensive and effective treatment. In order to meet the WHO drinking water standards, an ozonation system was installed in the conventional water treatment plant. The objective of ozonation is for the control and removal of organic micropollutants and other deleterious matters. This study investigated the concentrations and distribution of organic micropollutants, heavy metals, and bacteriological counts in water samples collected from within the catchment and the treated water. The effectiveness of the ozonation system was also studied. The total level of phenolic water pollutants in the catchment was generally found to be very much higher than the maximum recommended level of 2.0 µgl-1. The extensive treatment process carried out at the plant was very effective in reducing the levels of total phenols in the treated water to less than 1.0 µgl-1. However the process was not efficient enough to reduce the levels of some heavy metals as required by the standards, for examples Cd and Pb were still three times higher than the standards of 5µgl-1 and 0.05 mgl-1 respectively. For bacteriological study, coliform group of bacteria, Salmonella, faecal streptococci and injured coliform were monitored in the raw and treated water. The raw water contained coliforms about 1000 times higher than the required standard for raw ater, but after the secondary treatment by ozonation coliform bacteria were absent, however a small number of Salmonella was still present occasionally. The study also showed that restructuring of the district and relocating of some commercial activities along the river banks to other areas carried out over the last five years has improved the general quality of the river water.

A STUDY OF TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN HUMAN HAIR OF SOME LOCAL POPULATION IN MALAYSIA

The content of the trace elements As, Br, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Sb and Zn has been evaluated in hair samples from selected population groups within Malaysia. Each population group was formed of individuals selected to be representative of the adult population living in a well-defined community. The groups were chosen from distinct regions with different socio-economical living habits in order to detect variability of the trace element burden among Malaysian. All the measurements were performed by means of instrumental neutron activation analysis after the hair samples were carefully washed according to standard procedures. The results for all elements investigated do not differ significantly from reported values for other regions of the world. The levels of As, Hg, and Sb are significantly different for the various groups and is strongly linked to local environmental factors.

Elemental analysis of herbal preparations for traditional medicines by neutron activation analysis with the k0 standardization method.

Medicinal herb preparations prescribed for specific treatment purposes were purchased from markets and were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis withk0 standardization. Then, 500–700 mg of each sample was pelletized under a pressure of six tones and irradiated together with monitors for a and neutron flux ratio determinations for about 6 h in a thermal flux of 2.29 x 1012n/cm2/s. The accuracy of the method was established by analyzing standard reference materials. Twenty-nine elements, Ag, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, U, Yb, and Zn, were measured in all the samples, and Hg was detected in some samples, with good accuracy and reproducibility. The concentration of elements determined was found to vary depending on the composition of the herbs used. Although the trend linking the element of the medicinal plants to its curative abilities could not be clearly determined, this study showed that the toxic elements found in the samples were below the levels prescribed by health regulations. Nevertheless, such data are important to understand the pharmacological action and the exact mechanisms of action and formation of active constituents for each medicinal plant and to decide the dosage of the herbs used in the final formulation.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of environmental samples using thek0-standardization method

The use of thek0-standardization method in instrumental neutron activation analysis gives good accuracy and precision. The analysis time can be reduced drastically by employing software for thek0-standardization calculations. In this work samples were irradiated in a TRIGA reactor and the gamma spectrum was analysed by Sampo 90 and thek0-standardization by the KAYZERO/SOLCOI code (DSM Research). The efficiency measurement and the peak to total ratio at the reference and other geometries were measured and tested for their accuracy by analysing some reference materials. Reference materials such as SRM 1572 (Citrus leaves), SRM 1573 (Tomato leaves), SRM 1575 (Pine needles), IAEA Soil-7 (Soil) and SRM 1646 (Estuarine sediment) were analysed for the major, minor and trace element contents. The results were in good agreement with the certified or literature values. The recently released IAEA 140 (Sea plant homogenates) was also analysed for 28 elements.